Read Across America Day: Dr. Seuss Parade, Costumes, and More

Every year, my school enjoys celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday with a variety of festivities geared toward reading and literacy. I'd like to share with you the highlights of our program , and I'd love for you to share yours.

Dr. Suess Parade

One of our most anticipated events on Read Across America Day is the Dr. Seuss parade. A few weeks before the parade, each class selects a favorite Dr. Seuss book, and the teacher and students determine the best way to portray it through costumes, props, etc. We play fun music over the intercom, and classes walk along the parade route to the delight of onlookers, who are seated along the walls in the hall. It's a lot of fun! Here are some great ideas that our teachers have given us from past parades:

• Dress students in simple, similar costumes (possibly just matching the colors of the illustrations in the book, which were often limited to a few colors).
• Have a few large props related to the book or have everyone carry small, everyday items related to the story.
• Think about the storyline and “act out” a small but important event at some point along the route.

Costumes

Our students seem to really enjoy how our faculty joins in the fun by dressing as a Seuss character.  Pinterest* and Google Images are great sources for homemade costume ideas. Here are some more...

Please Try to Remember the First of Octember: Main Character wears blue jeans, red/white striped shirt, blonde short wig.

Dr. Seuss’s ABC
Aunt Annie: Big hat, white wig, spectacles, fluffy dress, pumps (and an a stuffed or inflatable alligator) 
Barber: mustache, white lab coat, Yellow bow tie, black pants
King: crown, beard/mustache, robe, fur collar
Little Lola Lopp: Green dress, yellow wig, black shoes
Policeman: blue hat, blue coat, blue pants, yellow badge
Queen: crown, pearls, yellow wig, pink robe, fur collar, pumps
Rosy Robin Ross: Braided hair with a bow, plaid shirt, blue jeans, boots

Sleep Book: Red footed PJ’s

The Sneetches: See costume here

How the Grinch Stole Christmas:
1. Dress as the Grinch in green hair, face and hands, and wear a Santa Suit and fake monster teeth.
2. Check out the Cindy Lou Who costume ideas at http://familycrafts.about.com/od/charactercostumes/ig/Famous-Character-Costumes/Cindy-Lou-Who-Costume.-_mS.htm or http://www.costume-works.com/2009-halloween-costume-contest.html.

My administrator's creative costume!



The Cat in the Hat:

1. Make this hat and wear with black sweats, a red velvet Christmas bow and white gloves.

2. Make a Thing 1 hat from bulletin board paper.







3. Be the Cat IIINN the Hat like in this costume.

If I ran the Zoo: 
Gerald McGrew: striped pants, black men’s coat, white button down shirt, red necktie, red police hat
Persian prince: baggy pants, genie shoe covers, white shirt, dark vest, turban, mustache
Cook: white shirt, black bow tie, black pants, white apron, chef’s hat (make this one)

Horton Hears a Who: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/oct/31/readers-share-their-favorite-halloween-photos/

 

Green Eggs and Ham:

Sam: Tall red hat and yellow clothes (gown, long t-shirt, etc.) and carries a platter with green eggs and ham.

More Ideas
1. “Who’s Who and What’s What in the Books of Dr. Seuss” An amazing resource! Be sure to scroll past the 3-4 blank introductory pages. May be helpful in determining your theme and costumes. 
2. Click here for great Seuss-centered lessons (with photos). It's also a linky, which means that other lovers of all things Seuss will leave a link to their great ideas! 
3. All about Seuss’s characters 
4. I have a Seuss ideas board on Pinterest. Let me know if you need an invite.
5. This is a  Daily Activities Sheet that we use all week long.

I'd love to read about and see pictures of your Seuss festivities and ideas. Please leave comments and links below!